Soil Chemistry & Fertility

Soil chemistry is a discipline of soil science concerned with biogeochemical processes in soils and their influence on the bioavailability, mobility, distribution, and chemical forms of both plant essential elements and contaminants in the terrestrial environment. Traditional soil chemistry (soil fertility) focuses on chemical and biochemical reactions in soils that influence nutrient availability for plant growth, and potential environmental consequences associated with inorganic and organic fertilization, especially with nitrogen and phosphorus. Soil chemistry has increasingly focused on the environment over the past few decades, especially as related to ground and surface water quality. Understanding the reactions and biogeochemical processes of potential pollutants and contaminants in soils will enable a more accurate prediction of fate and toxicity of contaminants, and development of remediation strategies. The overall goal of soil chemistry/fertility research is a more fundamental understanding of chemical and biochemical reactions in soils related to plant growth, sustainability, and soil and environmental quality. Faculty/Staff

Evaluating the plant nutrient requirements and nutrient utilization efficiencies of major crops as affected by factors such as soil physical, chemical and microbiological properties.

Problems related to soils and nutrient uptake by rice and soybeans, the influence of low oxygen concentrations on germination and plant growth, N transformation in rice soils, environmental quality as influenced by fertilizers, forage production for livestock, rice culture practices.